REAADY Performing Arts Academy

Ken is a former Principal Dancer with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Ballet West, and Dallas Ballet Company. He was the Artistic Director of Performing Arts for La Roche College, where he established a B.A. Degree for Performing Arts In Dance and developed a public-school Arts dance program. Mr. Nickel joined California University of Pennsylvania where he designed and worked with their Bachelor of Arts Degree in dance. In collaboration with the Community College of Beaver County, Ken created and developed a program where junior and senior students can earn an Associate of Arts degree in Dance during high school. He served as Artistic Director of the program for the Community College of Beaver County. Ken has also served as a board member of the Spina Bifida Association for the past three years.

Richard has over 40 years of experience with organizations both as a financial consultant and as an Owner/CFO/CEO. He is an expert in reorganizing and strengthening. Smith started his business career as a computer operator and then formed a public accounting firm. As a financial advisor and business-planning consultant, he led the turnaround of multiple businesses. Smith is the author of The Manual for Business and Personal Success. For the past eight years, he has served on the board of directors as both President and Chairman on the Spina Bifida Association. Smith graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh, and completed the Entrepreneurial Management Program at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business.

Susan has over 20 years of marketing, operations, and fund-raising experience including Operations Management, Account Services, Client Service Management, Production Management, Strategy Development, and Purchasing. Currently, Sue is Operations Manager for a full-service direct marketing agency committed to nonprofit fundraising where she is responsible for creating, maintaining and providing company-wide training of all processes and procedures; implementation  and training for internal systems; and trouble-shooting as needed. She works to promote team-oriented thinking and to build consensus across organizations. Sue is a magna cum laude graduate of Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

 Dr. Gall earned his BA, MA, and PhD in English Literature from Duquesne University. He has taught over 20 different courses at the college level. His experience as full-time and adjunct faculty includes teaching in traditional classrooms, writing labs, and online as well as in rural, urban, and suburban areas, in correctional facilities, and on military bases. Until 2015, Dr. Gall was Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the Community College of Beaver County where he assisted in the development of numerous courses and programs, from needs analysis to outcomes assessment. He has authored, co-authored, edited, and revised numerous in-house publications, instructional guidelines, policy handbooks, marketing brochures, and reports.  

Robin obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration majoring in Business Teacher Education from Robert Morris University. In addition, she is certified in Secondary Business Courses. Robin has over ten years of experience in the finance world, most recently as an Account Compromise Specialist with one of the area’s largest credit unions. 

Wayne is the Co-founder and Producing Artistic Director of PrimeStage, where he directed Treasure Island, The Outsiders, Twelve Angry Men, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, The Terezin Promise, and    The Giver. 

As Associate Professor of Secondary Education at the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford, he teaches and conducts research on adolescent literacy.  Previously, he was Director of Playhouse Jr., Assistant Professor in the School of Education at Duquesne University; an instructor at The Oakland School; and Director of the Senior School Theatre Department at Sewickley Academy.  

As a Museum Teaching Fellow at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC, Wayne produces several Holocaust theatre productions and conducts presentations on using literature and theatre to teach the Holocaust. Locally, he has directed for Apple Hill Playhouse, Little Lake, Red Barn, and South Park Theatres.  

Teresa earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Parks & Recreation, with a minor in Dance and a concentration in business and IT from Slippery Rock University. She teaches dance and aerobics and has served as VP of Dance for the PA State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and has presented programs at conventions, authored articles, and facilitated presentations at various schools about adaptive and creative dance in the classroom. She also served as VP of Dance for the Eastern District Association of the American Association of Health, Physical Education and Dance where she also served as a presenter at their convention. Teresa also adjudicated dancers/performances from across PA for the Arts in Education Day. Teresa works at the Beaver County Association for the Blind as administrative director. Her goal is to make a difference in the community at large through service with other organizations, collaborations with other agencies, education programs and presentations.

Tina is a native Pittsburgher and resident of Millvale. She graduated cum laude from La Roche College with a degree in Visual Communications/Biology. Tina served as president of the Millvale Community Development Corp. for 6 years and continues to serve on the board. She was a founding member/board of trustees for the Millvale Community Library, a member of the Millvale Planning Commission, and involved in the Allegheny Together Program, strengthening Millvale's core business district.

Jane is the Project Manager/Founder of The RUFF Writers, a multi-generational literacy project of New Sun Rising. She also serves as a freelance features writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Jane began her career as a high school English/Journalism teacher and advised nationally recognized yearbook staffs. Jane has served on advisory boards for the University of Pittsburgh’s Western PA Writing Project and the University of Alabama’s National Elementary Schools Press Association. She was the multi-generational curriculum writer for exhibits and programs at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.